January 6, 2016: Cash for College Night

Weekly College Update

I hope you had very restful, rejuvenating breaks. Welcome to your LAST semester of high school. Can you believe it?

While applications will continue to be due in January and February, there is another really important priority that we need to start working on-- how to pay for college!

This week’s focus is Cash for College Night.

Applying for financial aid can be a complicated process, and it feels overwhelming for a lot of students and families. We know how stressful it can be and we are here to help! On Thursday, January 14th at 6:00 pm, Summit will host Cash for College Nights in Redwood City (Everest) and San Jose (Rainier).On these nights, we bring in experts from local colleges to help you and your parents complete the most important financial aid applications-- the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the Dream Act application for undocumented students. I strongly encourage all of you to attend this event if you can possibly make it. Last year, many families were able to complete and submit their FAFSA that night!

When you come to Cash for College Night, you should bring the following to help you complete the application:

Driver's license, if you have one

Social Security card or number, if you have one

Most recent tax returns with either 2014 or 2015 income information (both you and parents)

2015 bank statements

Any records of untaxed income such as welfare benefits, Social Security benefits, or child support payments

List of colleges you’re interested in attending

If you don’t have all of these materials, that’s all right. Bring as much as you have and join us to learn more about the financial aid application process. We look forward to seeing you next Thursday!

JLV College Counseling Scholarships with January 2016 DeadlinesWho can apply: varies by scholarshipAmount of the award: variesInformation/Application: JLV College CounselingDeadline: throughout January 2016

Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship FundWho can apply: Asian American and Pacific Islander high school seniorsAmount of the award: variesInformation/Application: https://secure.apiasf.org/Deadline: January 8, 2016

Gates Millennium ScholarsWho can apply: African American, American Indian, Asian Pacific Islander American, Hispanic American high school seniors with minimum 3.3 GPAAmount of the award: full cost of college education! Information/Application: Gates Millennium Scholars ProgramDeadline: January 13, 2016

Asian Pacific Islanders for Professional and Community AdvancementWho can apply: U.S. citizens of any ethnic background with at least a 3.4 unweighted GPAAmount of the award: up to $2000Information/Application: APCA Scholarship ProgramDeadline: January 31, 2016

Northrup Grumman Engineering ScholarsWho can apply: high school seniors who are interested in studying engineering and meet GPA and test score requirementsAmount of the award: $10,000Information/Application: Engineering Scholars FlyerDeadline: February 3, 2016

PG&E Bright Minds ScholarshipWho can apply: high school seniors who live in a PG&E service areaAmount of the award: $20,000 per yearInformation/Application: PG&E Bright Minds ScholarshipDeadline: February 9, 2015

The Dream.Us ScholarsWho can apply: high school seniors who are DACA eligible or approvedAmount of the award: up to $25,000Information/Application: The Dream.US ScholarsDeadline: February 15, 2016

Chen Foundation Scholarship ProgramWho can apply: high school seniors who are low income, planning to attend a CSU or CA community college, and have an unweighted GPA of at least 3.0Amount of the award: $2,000 (renewable)Information/Application: Chen FoundationDeadline: February 29, 2016

Hispanic Scholarship FundWho can apply: must be of Hispanic heritage and have a minimum 3.0 GPAAmount of the award: $500- $5,000Information/Application: HSF General College ScholarshipsDeadline: March 30, 2016